New guidance has been published for retailers and manufacturers to consider how people can safely return to work, with updated guidance for construction to come later this week.

The documents, which are among the first for a number of specific sectors, have been developed in consultation with business, trades unions and regulators, Holyrood said, adding "it will provide advice on essential equipment and services needed to create the conditions for safer workplaces".

The Scottish Government said companies are expected to undertake a robust risk management approach that has been developed and maintained through joint working with employees, adding "this will offer assurances to workers when the time is right to return to work".

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It said: "Working to the phased approach in the route map on easing lockdown published last week, it (the guidance) details the steps required for businesses, acknowledging that some will face more complications when reopening than others, while also considering the impact on employees."

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Many businesses have been adapting to new ways of working with a significant proportion of staff working from home. While many people will continue with this, there are areas where it is not possible. We are listening to how businesses have made changes and in discussion with them to see how these changes can be safely applied to allow reopening.

“We’ve been working in partnership with industry, trades unions and regulators in around 14 sectors and will publish more sector-specific guidance over the next few weeks. However, I want to be clear that the journey doesn’t end once the guidance is published. This is just the starting point and these documents will continually evolve, where required, based on public health evidence and feedback from industry and trade unions.

“Guidance on its own, will not create safe working environments. We continue to work closely with the key enforcement agencies – the Health and Safety Executive, local authorities and Police Scotland – to ensure a joined up approach to the enforcement and monitoring of workplace public health measures.

“We are already supporting businesses through our unique package of support totalling £2.38 billion which reflects the specific needs of our economy. Our recovery will be an opportunity to renew our economy and build our resilience and future prosperity."

Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said: "We have been calling for detailed guidance from the Scottish Government on safety measures to enable businesses to begin to plan and prepare. It is welcome to see these issued for our manufacturing and retailing businesses. Operating safely and safeguarding the health of our employees, customers and supply chains is in the best interests of all of us.

“We will now look at this detail to understand what businesses in these sectors need to do practically in order to begin to prepare for re-opening. We will be working with the Scottish Government and companies across Scotland to adapt, adopt and implement these guidelines. It would now be helpful to see timelines so that businesses and our employees have a common goal in sight.

“Further, the Test and Trace system will be a major contributor to Scotland being able to open for business.’’

David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: "Shopkeepers are working hard to ready themselves to re-open safely, drawing on the lessons learned by essential shops of all sizes and formats during the past nine weeks and investing significantly in physical distancing and hygiene measures to protect customers and staff. This new official guidance and accompanying checklist will prove useful as retailers refine their plans and implement the necessary adaptations.

“It should also help customers understand the changes they will see to their usual shopping routine and what is expected of them too. Shoppers should be prepared for different store layouts, one-way aisles, screens and queuing, similar to that seen in pharmacies and other essential retailers.

“It is encouraging that Ministers have listened to our representations and that they have moved swiftly to take a more rounded approach to those retailers who can re-open in the second phase of the exit from lockdown. This should prove beneficial to the retailers concerned and customers.

“Over and above this guidance for shops, what is needed now is a plan for shopping. That will need to provide practical steps and advice so customers can confidently understand how to safely travel to and navigate high streets and town centres. Government should involve local authorities and business improvement districts in this work so local plans can be developed to help set these places on the road to economic recovery.”

Supercar maker McLaren Group has announced that 1,200 jobs will be lost across its operations, representing around a quarter of its workforce.

The Surrey-based firm said in a statement that it has been "severely affected by the current pandemic".

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It went on: "The cancellation of motorsport events, the suspension of manufacturing and retail activities around the world and reduced demand for technology solutions have all led to a sudden impact on the group's revenue-generating activities."

McLaren said the new annual spending cap for Formula One teams also led to the job losses.

The group's executive chairman Paul Walsh said: "We deeply regret the impact that this restructure will have on all our people, but especially those whose jobs may be affected.

"It is a course of action we have worked hard to avoid, having already undertaken dramatic cost-saving measures across all areas of the business.

"But we now have no other choice but to reduce the size of our workforce.
"This is undoubtedly a challenging time for our company, and particularly our people, but we plan to emerge as an efficient, sustainable business with a clear course for returning to growth."

It was reported earlier this month that McLaren is seeking to borrow up to £275 million by mortgaging its Woking headquarters and historic car collection.

The job cuts were announced on the same day it was confirmed that Dr Andy Palmer is to leave his position as boss of Aston Martin amid a collapse in the luxury carmaker's share price.

Meanwhile, there is speculation that Japanese car firm Nissan will cut 20,000 jobs from its worldwide workforce.

A $175 million (£142 million) cap on race car performance spending was set to be introduced for Formula One next year in a new rule designed to make the sport more competitive.

Talks have been held on reducing the figure in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nando's is set to reopen 94 of its restaurants for delivery and collection after closing sites in the face of the coronavirus lockdown.

Staff wearing PPE will prepare peri-peri chicken for customers at 54 more of its restaurants from today.

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It said it will expand this to a further 40 restaurants from Wednesday, with customers able to order food for collection or delivery on its website.

It is the latest in a long line of other restaurant chains, including Wagamama and KFC, which have recently returned to serving hungry customers.

In March, the Government told restaurants to shut their doors as part of the lockdown but have continued to allow restaurants to serve takeaway and collection services, in line with health and safety guidelines.

Last month, Nando's reopened the kitchens of four restaurants in London and two in Manchester for deliveries.

It said that it will now reopen sites in cities such as Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester and Belfast, after "successfully" running the trial.

The chain said it will serve from a "reduced" menu to support staff, but will still serve popular items such as peri-peri chicken wings, butterfly chicken, halloumi sticks and peri chips.

The company said that all click and collect orders must be placed online to avoid queues and keep customers and staff safe.

Customers were also "encouraged not to travel to the restaurant unnecessarily unless they are picking up a collect order at their allotted time".

Nando's said there is PPE available to staff to wear and they have also been encouraged to wash their hands more regularly.